How to manage all aspects of a business as a sole proprietor?
I started my business in 2024 and although I have been a foreman/project manager for other companies, it seems like I am having a harder time managing everything on my own as those companies had the employees to work those positions As a sole proprietor how else can I be more efficient with juggling tasks from being the laborer of the company to be in the salesman and doing the accounting. Once I am able to, I would like to have hired employees so that it is not as stressful but for now I am just looking for some advice and possible solutions that worked for others.
New Member Building a Veteran-Owned Commercial Cleaning Business
Hello everyone, My name is Brian Che, and I’m excited to join this community. I’m the Managing Member of Alliance Contracting & Logistics, LLC, a veteran-owned small business based in Charlotte, North Carolina. We focus on commercial cleaning, janitorial services, facility support, logistics, and supply solutions for public agencies, institutions, and commercial clients. I’m building this business with the same values I learned through military service: discipline, accountability, attention to detail, teamwork, and reliable execution. One thing I’m currently working on is improving how we find consistent commercial cleaning opportunities, price jobs properly, build strong subcontractor partnerships, and deliver dependable service from day one. I’m looking forward to learning from other business owners in this community. For those already established in commercial cleaning or facility services, what is one piece of advice you wish you had known when you were first getting started?Did you learn more about business from school or from experience?
When it comes to running your home service business, did formal schooling prepare you, or did you learn more from on-the-job experience? In this episode of Masters of Home Service, Hunter Patrick (Dumpire) shares how he built a $1M junk removal company at just 24 years old. He talks about: How he learned key business lessons without formal education Overcoming critcism when choosing your own path The real value of mentors and hands-on experience Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Thoughts on this letter?
I wrote an open letter to Mike Rowe and spammed it on all my socials and sent it in multiple emails to someone who may have access to him. I am curious on what others think about this: Mike, You’ve spent years shining a spotlight on the dignity of skilled work and the real opportunities that exist outside the traditional four-year college path. That message has resonated with a lot of people—including those of us actually out here doing the work, building things, fixing what breaks, and keeping everyday life running. But there’s a gap in the conversation that needs more attention. We keep hearing about six-figure opportunities in the trades, about shortages of skilled labor, and about how young people should step into these roles. On paper, it sounds like a simple equation: high demand equals high pay. In reality, it’s not that straightforward—especially at the level where most people actually start. The truth is, a large portion of trade work in this country is carried by small, entry-level contractors—men and women who own small businesses, often running tight margins, juggling inconsistent workloads, and competing with larger operations that dominate big contracts. These small operators are not making six figures themselves in many cases. So how are they supposed to pay entry-level workers anything close to that? The economics don’t line up. Large-scale projects—the kind that can sustain higher wages—are often controlled by well-funded companies with deep pockets and established networks. Meanwhile, the smaller infrastructure—the local electricians, plumbers, welders, and general contractors—are left fighting over thinner slices of the pie. They are essential, but they’re not positioned to offer the kind of compensation that keeps new talent from drifting elsewhere. So when we tell young people, “Go into the trades, you can make great money,” we’re skipping the part where they spend years underpaid, working for small businesses that are themselves trying to survive. That’s where your voice—and your platform—could push the conversation further. You’ve advocated for scholarships and support for individuals entering the trades, which is valuable. But what if the focus expanded beyond the worker and included the small businesses that train them? What if more money was put directly into the hands of deserving small contractors—not as loans that burden them further, but as true investments or grants? Funding that helps them: Pay apprentices a livable wage Invest in better tools and equipment. Take on larger jobs they otherwise couldn’t access. Actually grow into the kind of companies that can sustain those six-figure roles we keep talking about Because without strengthening the foundation—the small businesses that train and employ new workers—the pipeline of skilled labor will continue to struggle. Right now, we’re asking the bottom of the system to fix a top-heavy problem. If we want more skilled professionals, we don’t just need willing workers—we need stronger, better-supported employers at the ground level. Otherwise, the gap between expectation and reality will keep widening. You’ve already done a lot to change how people view skilled labor. This is an opportunity to push that impact even further—by addressing not just the workforce, but the ecosystem they depend on. Respectfully, Someone in the trenches trying to make it make sense
How to start a mobile mechanic business with little money or equipment?
Anyone have any advice on how to get started in a new business of mobile mechanic for cars/trucks and semis? I am also an independent dealer for AMSOIL and trying to get people to purchase oil from me. I have been rejected for every loan I’ve ever tried to get so I have the minimum amount of equipment and advertising available to me because of that issue. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.What are the best business coaching programs for home service business owners?
Does anyone have a recommendation for a residential construction/remodeling coaching program with systems, daily operations, hiring etc? Looking for a program that you have had personal success with. Thank you in advance!
How do successful home service business owners build systems to manage chaos?
Success isn't found in the absence of chaos; it’s found in the systems you build to master it. Every "overnight success" is actually the result of a thousand unglamorous mornings where a founder chose discipline over doubt.How did you decide between residential vs. commercial work?
Residential or commercial jobs, what’s been better for your business so far, and why? And is anyone here doing both? How’s that working out? In this episode of Masters of Home Service, Savannah Revis and AnatolyNaz2000 break it down from the cleaning side: Why residential tends to bring in faster, steadier cash How commercial contracts come with more hoops, but bigger payouts Why picking a lane early matters more than you think Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Owner Burnout Check‑In! Anyone Else Feeling This?
I want to be real for a moment. Running a business lately feels like a nonstop hamster wheel: trying to get all the work done, making sure our team has hours, constantly chasing new work, while also losing long‑term clients we’ve had for 12 years. The lack of loyalty has been hard to process. Some days, it honestly feels like my entrepreneurial mojo is gone. I’m tired. Mentally and emotionally. This year has been heavy. So I’m asking this community: How do you get through owner burnout? What helps you reset when you’re questioning everything? How do you get your motivation back when the passion dips? If you’re feeling this too, you’re not alone. And if you’ve been here before and made it through, I’d really appreciate hearing how.
